Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed Review: Is It Right for a New Zealand Trip?

The short answer: the Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed is a roomy inflatable bed with bumpers on all four sides, a flocked sleeping surface, and room for a standard crib sheet. It's a good fit for toddlers who've outgrown a travel crib but aren't ready for a big bed in a motel. For New Zealand, there's one big catch: Hiccapop says its included electric pump is for US use only, and could be dangerous used internationally even with a power converter. If you can solve inflation, it's a comfortable, familiar bed for road-trip nights. If you'd rather avoid the pump question altogether and your child is 3 or older, look at a hand-pump bed instead.

What it is

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From the Amazon listing and Hiccapop's own product page and FAQ:

• Four bumpers: raised sides plus head and foot bumpers, which Hiccapop says are 25% taller and longer than its nearest competitor.
• Size: 62 x 39 x 11 inches outside. The sleeping area is 49 x 26 inches (FAQ) or 50 x 26 inches (product page).
• Weight: 8 lb.
• Bedding: fits standard crib sheets and blankets. Hiccapop suggests stretch cotton jersey sheets.
• Surface: velvet-flocked mattress insert.
• Material: vinyl (PVC) that Hiccapop says is free of phthalates, DEHP and lead, with reinforced weld seams.
• Included: electric pump and XL travel bag.
• Setup: Hiccapop says it inflates in under 30 seconds with its pump.
• Age: the Amazon listing gives a manufacturer's minimum age of 18 months. Hiccapop's FAQ says there's no maximum age; height is the limit.
• Guarantee: lifetime guarantee, with replacements shipped to US addresses only (Hiccapop FAQ).

Hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed on Amazon

Check Amazon for current price and colors.

Alternative pick: the OGERY Travel Toddler Bed with Tent is also listed for 18 months and up, with bumpers on all four sides, a mesh tent over the top and a cordless rechargeable pump. The listing doesn't state how the pump charges, so check that it's safe to charge on NZ power before you rely on it. It's a newer listing with far fewer reviews than the Hiccapop; for ages 3 to 6, the Intex 66810FL is the more established, widely reviewed option.

The pump problem in New Zealand

This is the part most US reviews skip, because most reviewers use it at home or at Grandma's.

• The Amazon listing says, in capitals, "PUMP NOT COMPATIBLE OUTSIDE OF USA."
• Hiccapop's FAQ says the pump is for use in the USA only, and using it internationally even with a power converter could be dangerous.
• Hiccapop's product page lists the pump as not rated for international voltages.
• New Zealand power is 230/240 volts, 50Hz (Tourism New Zealand). A plug adapter changes the plug shape, not the voltage.

What that means for you: before you fly, decide how you'll inflate it in NZ, and contact Hiccapop to ask what they recommend. Don't plug the included pump into an NZ socket.

Options to consider:

• A battery pump. The FLEXTAILGEAR Tiny Pump is a USB rechargeable pump you can try. Its listing says it has a built-in 1300mAh battery, charges over USB-C (from a power bank, laptop, car charger or adapter), and comes with five nozzles. We can't promise any nozzle fits the Hiccapop's valve, so test it at home before you fly. Its listing also says not to run it continuously for more than 10 minutes.
• A hand-pump bed instead. If your child is 3 to 6, the Intex 66810FL Kidz Travel Bed Set comes with a hand pump and needs no power. The listing says it's for ages 3 to 6, up to 50 lb. Reviewers are mixed on whether it holds air overnight: some say it stays inflated, others say it went soft by morning. See Hiccapop vs Intex Kidz Travel Bed.

Pros

• Bumpers on every side, which parents of rolling sleepers appreciate.
• Crib-sheet compatible, so you can bring your child's own sheet from home.
• Roomy. A sleeping area of about 49 x 26 inches leaves space to grow.
• Wipe-clean. Hiccapop's FAQ says to wipe it with mild soap and water.
• Packs into its own bag.

Cons

• The pump is US-only. That's the big one for New Zealand.
• Not tiny. It's 8 lb and 62 x 39 inches inflated, so it takes a decent patch of floor.
• Air loss is a recurring theme. In Amazon customer comments, a sizable share mention slow leaks or holes over time, though many others say it holds air well.
• Warranty help stops at the US border. Replacements ship only to US addresses, so a leak mid-trip means patching it or buying something locally.

What other parents say

Themes from Amazon customer comments (paraphrased, not quoted):

• Portability comes up most, with many saying it packs small and is easy to travel with.
• Most find it quick to inflate and deflate with the included pump.
• Many say their child sleeps well in it and enjoys it, and like that the bumpers stop roll-outs.
• Durability is mixed. Some report it lasting years; others report holes or air loss. Several mention Hiccapop replacing the bed.

Who it's for

Good fit:

• Toddlers 18 months and up (per the listing) who've outgrown a travel crib
• Trips where you'll stay a few nights in each place
• Kids who like a "real bed" with a sheet and blanket

Think twice if:

• You haven't worked out a safe way to inflate it in NZ
• Luggage weight is tight

🗺️ Planning a run of motel and Airbnb stops?

The NZ Family Trip Planner is a Google Sheets planner for NZ family road trips. It flags long driving days, tracks your budget and bookings, reminds you about ferry and winter-road checks, and includes a ready-made 21-day South Island route.

Tips for using it on an NZ road trip

• Check the room before you set up on the floor. Our first Airbnb in New Zealand was damp downstairs, wet sheets and all, despite good reviews. Choose a dry, warm spot for a floor bed.
• Bring a crib sheet from home. It's familiar, and Hiccapop says standard crib sheets fit.
• Pack a patch kit plan. Since replacements only ship to US addresses, ask Hiccapop before you go what they suggest for leaks while you're away.
• Ask your host whether they can provide a travel cot or child's bed. You might not need to bring one at all.
• Car seat reminder: if you're planning the bed, plan the car seat too. NZTA says children must be in an approved child restraint until their 7th birthday, and US-standard seats need the New Zealand "S" mark. Check the NZTA child restraint rules and ask your rental company about hiring seats.

Hiccapop or a hand-pump bed?

If the pump issue puts you off, we compared the Hiccapop with the Intex 66810FL Kidz Travel Bed Set, which comes with a hand pump: Hiccapop vs Intex Kidz Travel Bed.

FAQ

Can I use the Hiccapop pump in New Zealand? No. Hiccapop says the pump is for US use only and could be dangerous internationally, even with a power converter.

What size crib sheet fits the Hiccapop? Hiccapop says standard crib sheets fit, and recommends stretch cotton jersey.

What age is the Hiccapop toddler bed for? The Amazon listing gives a manufacturer's minimum age of 18 months. Hiccapop says there's no maximum; height is the limit (sleeping area about 49 inches long).

Does the Hiccapop lifetime guarantee work overseas? Hiccapop says replacements are shipped to US addresses only.